December 18, 2003 – Garlic extract has been shown to be very effective in the fight against one of the most formidable bacteria known to man, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Taiwanese researchers infected mice with a strain of MRSA taken from human patients. Sixteen hours after infection, the mice were orally administered various products, including solutions containing either 50% or 100% garlic extract. Eight hours later, the mice were euthanized and studied.
By examining the animals’ blood, liver, kidneys and spleen, the researchers were able to determine that the garlic extracts appeared to have effectively fought the infection. The extracts notably markedly lowered the signs of infection in the blood, in addition to demonstrating interesting antioxidant properties.
The exact nature of garlic’s effectiveness remains unclear, but researchers believe that one of its main active ingredients, allicin, probably has something to do with it, as its antimicrobial effectiveness has already been demonstrated by many. other studies1.
MRSA is found naturally on the skin of healthy people. However, it is particularly dangerous for those with weakened immune systems, and in particular can spread quickly in a hospital.
The results of the most recent study are published in the current edition of Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to Healthy News; December 9, 2003.
1. Lefrançois P. Phytomedical Reviews: Allium sativum, The Natural Health Products Report, Vol. 8, No. 5, 1999, Canada.
